KARACHI, June 28: Urgent need to upgrade casualty departments of hospitals and health-care outlets has been recommended for an efficient handling of daily and major emergencies in the country.

Participants at a workshop “emergency preparedness and humanitarian assistance,” organized by the federal ministry of health in collaboration with the WHO, during its concluding session here on Saturday called for a standardized training programme for doctors, nurses and para-medics, with particular reference to emergency preparedness.

It was observed with grave concern that country generally lacks any contingency plan to tackle major incidents which may and do risk heavy loss of lives and or property at any point of time.

The participants further regretted absence of any law, at both federal and provincial levels, regarding emergency situations, provision for recovery of the affected communities — compensation for them and or penalizing those responsible for the situation.

Noman Saigol, the chief guest assured extending maximum support for the programme.

Underscoring the need for a proper national policy, the adviser said the effort could not be fruitful lest an integrated approach is adopted and each of the provinces allowed to identify possible risks, requirements and shortcomings.—APP